CJP Leaders Detained In Assam Ahead Of Guwahati Volunteers’ Meet; Ranka Targets Himanta Sarma

Several leaders and volunteers of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), including co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka, were detained by Assam Police in Guwahati on Sunday, September 27, ahead of the organisation’s first regional volunteers’ meeting in the state.

The CJP alleged that its members were detained while preparing to attend the meeting and that police had blocked roads leading to the venue. The police have not publicly stated the reason for the reported detentions, according to reports available on Sunday.

Ashutosh Ranka Accuses Assam Government Of Blocking Meeting

Ranka, who had arrived in Guwahati a day earlier, was scheduled to address CJP volunteers during the meeting.

Before his detention, Ranka alleged that the road leading to the venue had been barricaded and that volunteers were being stopped from reaching the location. He also claimed that a significant police presence, including preparations for crowd control, had been deployed.

After being detained, Ranka criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that the government was attempting to prevent the CJP from raising questions about issues in the state.

Ranka claimed the party intended to highlight the condition of government schools, issues concerning people living around Kaziranga and what he described as “man-made floods” in Assam.

CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Condemns Detentions

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also alleged that Assam Police had detained Ranka and other members of the party while they were on their way to a small volunteers’ gathering.

Dipke claimed that the detained members were being taken to an undisclosed location and demanded their release. He also alleged that lawyers who reached the location were not permitted to meet the detained leaders.

The CJP stated that those who were detained including members of its leadership as well as Assam-based volunteers. Reports from the party put the number of people detained at several dozen, although some figures could not be independently verified.

CJP Had Planned First Regional Volunteers’ Meeting

The meeting was intended to bring together CJP supporters and volunteers in Assam as the organisation sought to expand its presence in the state.

According to reports, the gathering was expected to draw around 200 to 300 volunteers. The party had initially planned the event at a venue on Kharga Choudhury Road in Guwahati, but organisers later said the location had to be changed after the original venue became unavailable.

The CJP maintained that the programme was intended as a peaceful volunteers’ meeting and accused the authorities of disrupting it.

Police Yet To Give Public Explanation

While CJP leaders have alleged that the detentions were connected to the planned meeting, the available reports did not contain a public explanation from Assam Police regarding the grounds for the action.

The reported detentions have consequently triggered a political dispute, with CJP leaders accusing the Assam government of attempting to restrict their activities and the organisation insisting that it would continue its campaign in the state.

Ranka and Dipke have both said the CJP will continue raising issues it considers important to Assam, despite the police action.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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